Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch is waiting quietly in her rather crowded study. At the far end of the room stands Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin alongside a masked figure whose features are concealed by a dark robe and heavy cowl.
Half a dozen other Pathfinder agents line the walls and face outward, concentrating on various spells that no doubt ward the room against eavesdroppers. Sheila motions to a small sideboard bearing refreshments before leaning over a small table laden with Thassilonian relics.
Ambrus Valsin steps forward and says,
“My fellow Pathfinders, as you can see, the task that lies ahead transcends the interests of Magnimar’s increasingly esteemed lodge; it’s a mission that will affect the entire Pathfinder Society and merits the direct attention of the Decemvirate.”
The hooded figure behind the Venture-Captain nods in silent agreement and then gestures for Valsin to continue.
“Over the past year, we’ve received increasingly concerning reports from this region that the Lissalans have plans in motion to revive Krune, the Runelord of Sloth and one of the most powerful wizards of ancient Thassilon. We have set our own plans in motion to keep him in check if the Lissalans succeed, but Sheila Heidmarch has an ambitious plan regarding this threat.”
He nods and stepsback to cede the briefing to his colleague.
Sheila takes over, adding,
“We recently acquired these refuge tokens and their command words. When broken, the tokens will take a handful of agents directly to Krune’s sanctuary. If he has yet to revive, do whatever you can to ensure he never does. If he does awaken, pray that he is too dazed and addledto command his full power. Whatever it takes, end this threat to Varisia -
.”
She then motions to the other relics on the table.
“The Society has recovered Thassilonian relics , perhaps some through your deeds, and I would rather they be in your hands as you face
Krune; they will do us little good in a museum if the runelord returns. Once you defeat him, take special care to recover his two artifacts: a dragon-tooth spear and a rune-inscribed rod.
Once you are ready, I will show you how to use the refuge tokens. Do you have any questions?”
Replica dragon tooth longspear (stage I)
rod of runes
acrimony
veil, Lissala’s caress
Sihedron brand (endurance)
Sihedronbrand (service).
If the PC already possesses one of these items, she cannot acquire a second copy in this way. These items are part of the character’s story, and it’s fitting that they be available for the season’s finale.
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A half elf stands pensively in the study of the venture captain. He is dressed in garb typical of the desert steppes but seems to know his way around the place.
"Ah, if this sounds like the right place. I have been hunting this cult for the better part of this past year...and it has not left me unmarked."
He rubs his left arm unconsciously as he looks around the room.
"My last outing against them nearly destroyed our group but for the blessings of Abadar.
It is my honor to meet you all. Hugo....Hugo Victor at your service . " He bows with a grin and nods to each present in the group.
To the venture captains...
"Any idea about the variety of guardians we could expect to encounter in this sanctuary? "
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An actual member of the Decemvirate? Here? Oh my, this really IS urgent...
A halfling stands dressed in fine robes, his pack nearly overflowing with books, and a severely mismatched tricorne rests on his head. His large spectacles nearly fall off his face as he rubs his chin, deep in thought from the Venture-Captain's words.
My lady, I am honored that you've chosen for this task. I am ready. I have spent many years of my life studying and learning, mostly of life on the seas, and the ecology of the evil outsiders that visit our plane of existence, as well as the existential studies of madness and insanity within the human psyche. I'll have to show you my thesis sometime, it's quite intriguing. Anyway, I want to bring something to your attention..." the halfling says nervously. "Do you think this is going to be a problem?" he asks, rolling up his sleeves to reveal the large, shifting tattoo of the Sihedron on his arm.
"Any idea about the variety of guardians we could expect to encounter in this sanctuary? "
Shelia responds
"Our divination efforts towards Krune's Sanctuary have so far been unsuccessful, however our intelligence shows that the Lissalans have recovered several refuge tokens themselves and have been working to hasten Krune's awakening."She pauses for a moment, trying to consider how much history the group knows.
"Krune is the Runelord of Sloth and High Priest of Lissala; Sloth is the Thassilonian corruption of Conjuration. I believe that many outsiders do not age and that Krune could have many powerful allies guarding him while he sleeps."
The masked person speaks:
"The Master of Scrolls speculates that harnessing as much rune magic as Krune supposedly can would require powerful foci. If you can identify what these are and disrupt them, Krune might lose his greatest weapon. If you cannot find such foci, your battle will be all the harder. "
As soon as the Decimverate member finishes speaking you have no recollection of their voice, just echoing in your heads.
"Do you think this is going to be a problem?" he asks, rolling up his sleeves to reveal the large, shifting tattoo of the Sihedron on his arm.
Shelia responds:
"Make use of every tool you have, the mark of Lissala is a powerful one and you will need all the strength you can gather if you are to succeed. Be brave though, with you leading the charge, we will end this threat today."
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A young blonde man, dressed in immaculately maintained full plate, with a heavy wooden shield embossed with the holy symbol of Iomedae pipes up from the back.
"For those of us who prefer to things the old-fashioned way," He says as he pats the hilt of his longsword, Inheritor's Kiss. "What's conjuration magic mean? Am I going to be going toe-to-toe with whatever abomination he can pull out of his hat? Or do these conjurers have other means of fighting? I mean, do you have any recommendations for kit prep against this guy or are we just swinging at apparitions here?
A young man in the back, pipes up.
"For those of us who prefer to things the old-fashioned way," He says as he pats the hilt of his longsword, Inheritor's Kiss. "What's conjuration magic mean? Am I going to be going toe-to-toe with whatever abomination he can pull out of his hat? Or do these conjurers have other means of fighting? I mean, do you have any recommendations for kit prep against this guy or are we just swinging at apparitions here?
Ambrus responds this time:
"A good question, conjuration is used to summon and bind various outsiders, additionally it covers teleportation, healing and the creation of physical objects things such as walls, fogs or even pits. That said, Krune is a powerful wizard from over 10,000 years ago. I am certain he will have tricks up his sleeve unheard of in the modern age."|
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Baltar will look over the various items on display, his hand slowly resting on the Acrimony Veil.
"My lady, I have taken many opportunities to study the various artifacts and magics that the Lissalans have employed, from these Refuge Token, which I'd like to point out, I did not eat, though it would've been a great opportunity for hands-on research on the process of actually devouring one's soul... But still, if you would not mind, I would like to take this mask if that is permissable. From the field reports I'd read, it could be quite useful!"
Shelia nods and motions that it's okay for you to take,
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Baltar graciously receives the Veil from Liam and straps it on his face. It takes him a moment for his breathing to adjust with a visage of bone and metal covering his mouth.
"Impressive. Most impressive."
After getting adjusted, Baltar turns again to Sheila, his voice much more muffled than before.
"So after we're done with this task... How do we get back from wherever it is we're going?"
Ambrus resist the urge to respond in his own growly voice and fields the question about returning normally:
“The tokens have a minor enchantment that tracks where they were triggered, so I have good reason to believe that you will be able to return. Pay careful attention to what your refuge token looks like before you break it; you might need it to come back.”
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"When I helped secure these tokens, the Lissalans had a Deva under their control. This worries me as I'm sure we all have access to tools and items to protect us from evil outsiders, but good outsiders concerns me. If a worshiper of Lissala and a servant of this Runelord can summon denizen of the Heavens to fight for them, how can we be expected to stand?"
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A tall, swarthy Keleshite man, who up to this point, has stood quietly in the back listening comes forward and examines the relics. He body is covered in flasks, vials, and other arcane ephemera that tinkle and chime softly as he walks. I am afraid that I have never seen any of these relics before. He turns toward the party. My name is Ezrek Filosten. It is a pleasure to meet all of you.
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"Fletch" is a straightforward, plain-spoken man dressed in polished silver plate armor. He carries a beautiful bow and a heavy-bladed greatsword. By his side crouches an enormous dire wolf wearing, of all things, a breastplate.
"A runelord! My gods. What do you know that we don't?" he asks the Venture-Captains and the shadowed figure. "Because from all I've heard they could level cities before breakfast. If this is a suicide mission, I understand. But I think you should level with us."
Shelia speaks up
Hopefully you can prevent his awakening, or if he does awake pray he will be too addled from his long sleep. And remember the Master of Scroll's advice, search for and disable his rune foci. There's no way he could channel that much power on his own."
Shelia responds to Malinor:
"The Master of Scrolls has theorized their existence, but did not share any ideas he might of had regarding their physical appearance."
Ambrus Valsin will continue:
"While the nature of the teleportation magic means you should not be teleporting into lava or an otherwise immediately deadly environment I would recommend preparing yourself before breaking your tokens as we don't know what other dangers you'll be meeting on the other side."
Feel free to continue discussing and asking questions but you may also wish to figure out what preparations if any you want to make before activating the stones.
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"Can any of you cast enlarge person?" Liam asks as he withdraws a wand from his efficient quiver.
"Inheritor guide me, Pharasma spare me and Rovagug, eat me. Lets go." the young fighter laughs as he picks up a refuge token.
Hugo: FoM 100m, Entropic Shield 10m, Circle of Prot:Evil 200m
Liam: Fly 20m, Good Hope 110m
Ezrek: False Life 8h
Malinor: (ready)
Fletch: ?
If I missed anything or got the time wrong, just let me know.
Alright, just waiting on Fletch.
Fletch will wait until he feels combat is imminent and then cast gravity bow.
You all break your refuge tokens and feel a sudden jolt in your stomachs as if you were suddenly shifted a great distance.
You all find yourselves in a dark grey stone room, illuminated only by the slow spinning Ioun Torch above Ezrek's head.
A small ziggurat emerges from the far wall in this tomb like stone chamber. Most of the structure’s blocks are simple but precisely cut stone blocks, but in several places petrified humans, too finely sculpted to be carved, shoulder the burden of the blocks above with scarred backs and hands. A short, steep flight of steps ascends the close face to a second tier, and to the east and west two are other sets of steps that lead to the ziggurat’s apex twenty feet above the ground, falling short of the thirty-foot ceiling.
No actions yet, but perception checks please.
Perceptions:
Ezrek 19
Malinor: 5
Baltar: 48
Fletch: 16 Romulus: 21
Liam: 26
Hugo: 34
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Before any of you get a chance to act:
Baltar, Liam and Hugo see the head of this creature peeking over the back of the ziggurat.
Everybody is welcome to roll knowledge: planes and knowledge: religion and I'll happily tell you more on your turn.
(Including Underground Terrain)
Quick note on initiative, I'm happy to let blocks of PCs go in any order. You could achieve those results anyway through delaying and it helps keep the game moving at a reasonable speed. At the moment that means it is Liam and Hugo's turn.
As always if you have any questions or concerns please let me know.
Surprise Round:
Liam
Hugo
Monster1
Baltar
Monster 2
Liam and Hugo are up.